Jamie Lee's Lesson Plan- Photos & Posters

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Grade: Kindergarten
Unit: Presidents
Topic: The White House
Objectives:
  • The students will be able to name the residence of the President of the United States.
  • The students will be able to recognize a picture of the White House.
  • The students will be able to name one historical fact about the White House through a writing piece.

Procedures:
  1. Activate Prior Knowledge: Introduce the KWL chart for the lesson. I will fill in the parts of the KWL chart as I ask questions about the White House we can fill in what we know. I will guide the students through the what we want to know section.
  2. Provide history of the construction of the White House through the reading from The White House Historical Association website available at http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/04_a02_c.html.
  3. I will model the SEA method by presenting the first drawing of the White House by James Hoban. I will explain that when a building is being constructed the plan is drawn out onto paper. http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/images_02/frame_photo_403f.html, http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/images_02/frame_photo_403g.html This is how Mr. Hoban presented the drawing to President George Washington. We will study the picture. I will model noting important details I see. (Scan) I will model looking at the document closer and noting more details I can see when I look closer. (Examine) Then I will read about the construction and present my summary of the document. (Analyze)
  4. After completing the reading from The White House Historical Association website we will complete the KWL chart with what we learned. I will write into the chart the comments from the students to complete the graphic organizer.
  5. I will discuss the appearance of the White House today by using the designs of the White House available at http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/activities_02/c01.html. I will discuss the additions to the White House made throughout the history of the building. I will show a picture of the White House today available at http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/images_01/frame_photo_k03m.html.
  6. Many people have taken interest in the most recent election of President Obama that they have created a poster depicting his role as leader over the United States. Within this poster they have a drawing of the White House. President Obama and his family now live in the White House. http://theworldsbestever.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/shepard-fairey-inauguration-poster-obama.jpg
  7. Finally the students will be asked to write one fact they learned about the White House in a complete sentence. The students will begin their sentence with the following prompt, "The White House..."

Materials:
The White House Historical Association- K-3 Resources available at http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/04_a01_c.html
The White House Historical Association- 4-6 Resources available at http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/04_a02_c.html
Poster of President Obama and the White House http://theworldsbestever.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/shepard-fairey-inauguration-poster-obama.jpg
KWL Chart about the White House
White House pattern response paper

Jamie,
I really like this lesson and it is something that I can use in my classroom. I have discussed the make-up of the white house and the rooms that it has and the kids really seem to enjoy it. However, I have not tried a full-length lesson and I think this would be a great one to try out. Thanks for sharing.
~ Tauni Lindsey

Jamie,
I have a quick video lesson that I leave for a substitute teacher when I have an unexpected absence from school. However, after seeing your lesson here, I am going to "borrow" it as a replacement to that "emergency lesson." I especially like how your lesson focuses on the construction of the White House rather than a tour of the different rooms in White House. I think that my students will enjoy a lesson such as yours far more than any video tour. (Rob Crawley)

Jamie,
I think this is an absolutely fabulous lesson for kindergarteners. Our students are more aware of the election this year because of the publicity that surrounded this election. Because of their awareness, they are more apt to want to learn more about the President, his family and where they live. I have never thought about discussing the construction of the White House, what a great aspect to focus on! I the kindergarten students will really enjoy this lesson and be able to make real world connections.
Jeanine